Imaginative children’s workshops and ancient festive traditions, special tours through the Museum’s collections, musical events on the ground floor, the winged bull by Michael Rakowitz in the Museum gardens, 2026 lucky charm and other unique gifts at the Museum Shop, along with seasonal dishes at the restaurant, all await you this Christmas at the Acropolis Museum.
Children’s program and workshop: "Winged mythical creatures and the new year’s charm"
This Christmas, the Museum invites its young friends on an adventure among the exhibits, where they will set out to discover the lucky charm of the new year. Together with the Museum’s archaeologists, children will encounter winged figures who, as protectors, guardians, or messengers, will either assist or challenge them with riddles to solve and magical objects to collect. After their journey through time, parents and children will head to the Museum's Educational Centre to decorate their own clay charms and take home a lovely keepsake of the experience.
If you have children aged 6–12, we look forward to welcoming you on Saturday 27/12 and Sunday 28/12 at 11:00 a.m. The program is held in Greek. Further information about participating in the program is available here.
Children’s workshop: "The Iresione and the carols"
The Museum invites its young friends to decorate the Iresione, an olive-branch ornament, just as children did in antiquity, and to sing ancient carols celebrating the arrival of the new year. With their wishes and the decorations they create, they will also adorn the Museum’s own Iresione in the Kids Corner on the second floor.
If you have children aged 6–12, we look forward to seeing you on Monday 29/12 and Tuesday 30/12, at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The program is held in Greek. Further information about participating in the program is available here.
Music on the Museum ground floor
Sunday, 21 December, 12:00 p.m. - El Sistema Greece Youth Orchestra
On Sunday, 21 December at 12:00 p.m., the intercultural El Sistema Greece Youth Orchestra comes to the Acropolis Museum for a festive performance. Young musicians from 40 different countries will present, under the musical direction of Kyriaki Kountouri, a diverse repertoire that blends classical works, Christmas melodies, and pieces conveying a powerful message of peace for the holidays. Their collaboration is an act of social connection, a vivid reminder that music can serve as a tool for inclusion, communication, and empowerment. Artistic Direction: Zoe Zeniodi.
Monday, 22 December, 12:30 p.m. - Cretan “Vrakofori” Dance Ensemble
On Monday, 22 December at 12:30 p.m., the Museum welcomes the Cretan "Vrakoforoi" Dance Ensemble for traditional Cretan dances and carols, under the direction of Giannis Petrakis.
Saturday, 27 December, 12:00 p.m. - Hellenic Air Force Band
On Saturday, 27 December at 12:00 p.m., the Museum offers its visitors a concert featuring well-known New Year melodies performed by the historic Hellenic Air Force Band, conducted by Flight Lieutenant Konstantinos Drakos.
Exploring the galleries of the Acropolis Museum
Every Saturday at 10 am in English and at 1 pm in Greek, an enchanting journey through history and art awaits visitors at the Acropolis Museum exhibition. Guided by archaeologists, who narrate, engage in dialogue, and share the hidden stories of the Acropolis, guests are invited to explore the many dimensions of the ancient world as they are reflected in the masterpieces of the Athenian Acropolis. At the same time, the unique history of the Sacred Rock and its monuments is revealed, showcasing their enduring and universal significance for human civilization. Further information about participating in the program is available here.
Gallery talk: "The Erechtheion: A journey through a remarkable monument"
One of the most remarkable monuments of the Acropolis, the Erechtheion, stands proudly on the northern side of the Sacred Rock. It captivates visitors with its innovative architecture, elaborate sculptural decoration, and long-standing history. Dedicated to the worship of the city’s patron goddess Athena, it became a focal point for sacred traditions, ancient rituals, and local myths of Athens. At the Erechtheion, architecture blends seamlessly with art, worship intertwines with everyday life, and the myths of gods are interwoven with the stories of people.
On Sunday 28 December at 1 pm, join the archaeologists of the Museum on a fascinating journey through the history of this extraordinary monument, from antiquity to modern times. The program is held in Greek. Further information about participating is available here.
Lamassu of Nineveh, part 2 of "Michael Rakowitz & Ancient Cultures" trilogy
Visitors will have the opportunity to view the iconic sculptural installation Lamassu of Nineveh by internationally acclaimed artist Michael Rakowitz, presented through a collaboration between the Acropolis Museum and NEON. Constructed from empty cans of Iraqi date syrup, the sculpture reconstructs the protective Assyrian deity, a Lamassu: a colossal 4.3-metre winged bull with a human face that once stood at the entrance of the Nergal Gate in ancient Nineveh. The original monument, dating from around 700 BC, was destroyed in 2015 by ISIS, along with many other artefacts in the Mosul Cultural Museum. The Lamassu of Nineveh (2018) installation – situated in the surroundings of the Acropolis Museum – brings the sculpture into immediate dialogue with multiple layers of history and memory: the archaeological excavation visible beneath the Museum, the sacred landscape of the Acropolis above, the modern city around it, and the contemporary architectural space of the Museum itself. More information is available here.
At the Museum restaurant with a view of the Acropolis
Every Friday and Saturday evening (except for Friday 26/12, when the Museum will be closed) you can enjoy a festive dinner overlooking the illuminated Acropolis until midnight. Restaurant reservations: (0030) 210 9000 915. On all other days and hours, you can combine your visit with coffee, dessert, and the Museum’s holiday musical events on the ground floor.
Festive gifts at the Museum Shop
Before leaving the Museum, we invite you to visit the ground-floor shop, where you will find beautiful decorative items for your Christmas gifts. Among them is the Museum’s 2026 lucky charm, inspired by the mosaic floor patterns (M2567) of Building Z, dating to the 6th century AD, which extends beneath the Acropolis Museum. The mosaics that adorned the buildings of that era reflected the wealth, prosperity, and abundance of their owners through their motifs and craftsmanship. Discover the Museum’s suggestions for festive gifts.
